Clinics and meds and Traveling

Clinics and meds and Traveling

Lead

[-]

Posts: 20

Oct 28 09 12:22 AM

I am 90% IU P&T. I am enrolled at the VA Clinic locally. This winter I am going to try the Snowbird thing and spend two months (Jan, Feb) in Florida. I am
told that I cannot use a local Clinic in The Villages, Fl, because I am enrolled in NY. Has anybody had this problem while traveling?

Also my meds are delivered monthly and at least two must be signed for. Can they be sent to the place that I will be staying? Or even to the Clinic which is
close by.

Since many of us travel and RV etc., I would like to know what you guys do.

Also my meds are delivered monthly and at least two must be signed for. Can they be sent to the place that I will be staying? Or even to the Clinic which
is close by.

just call the pharmacy and change your address to the one in fla, i've done it many times , but i was told it's a big hassel to get seen
at the clinic,emergency room yes,but i think it takes awhile to get into the clinics,doesn't hurt to ask !!!

If so, even if it is an RV park, then there should be no problem with getting your meds sent there. You can just put in a temporary address change with the
Post Office and your first class mail will follow you. You can also put in a change with the VA before you leave home and they will send your meds directly to
you.

You will probably not have any luck with the VAOPC in the Villages, unless you can get a Primary Care Provider (PCP) assigned there. That being said the VAOPC
has very limited services. If you need something other than a flu shot or some minor paperwork you will need to go to Gainesville. The Villages VAOPC may be
going under the direction of Orlando, at least I know that the VAOPC that I use in Leesburg is doing so.

For many years now I have lived in my house in Florida in the winter and in an RV in various places in the summer. I stayed more than two months in those
places though, but had no problem getting seen at a VA Medical Center. There were no VAOPC's nearby and not nearly as many VAOPC's as there are today.

So, come on down and enjoy the sunshine. If you need something minor go to the Villages Clinic and plop down your VA card. If you need something more go to
Gainesville, right up I-75, and do the same.

As a general rule, you cannot have two PCPs in the VA Healthcare system unless you are suffering from a major catastrophic disability (like a quadraplegic
spinal cord patient for instance) or illness.

As a Veteran enrolled in the VA Healthcare system you are, however, entitled to receive care at any VA medical facility. You are not limited to just the one
you currently use at your home of record. Whoever told you you couldn't get care outside of your local VAMC where you were enrolled was misinformed. the
only difference is you may have to make your appointments through Emergent Care. All you have to do when you get to Florida is go to the CBOC or VAMC you want
to use and they will "enroll" you at that facility. Just show them your VA card. You will get the same care and benefits you received from your VAMC
at home.

Your medical records are electronic and are as readily available on computer to the healthcare providers in Florida as they are to your healthcare providers at
your home VA.

I very much appreciate all your replies. All your info will help me put it together. Thank you all. There's a lot of logistics
involved, ie: Leaving the NY home in the winter and making sure the meds don't run out.

You are allowed to have dual enrollment in two hospitals/clinics. You register first at the hospital not the CBOC in FLA.
Once you get registered in FLA they can acess your records.
The records are available in the CPRS electronic records package in a feature called VISTA WEB.
Some folks do not know to use Vista Web. The key is dual enrollment.

Do you use MyhealthEvet for ordering your meds? if so then just do not order from there the months you are gone and go to that local VA Clinic at the medicine
window and request a refill there. You may be there about an hour while they fill it but then, you can weigh that situation out. I would ask my local center if
that would be possible to do. I know if I did not order something from healthEvet and needed it now I would go to local clinic and get a refill.I have done
that before.(The window thing)

I have never had any problem getting benefits from any VA facility. I was a corporate pilot and traveled world wide. I have even been seen in Army hospitals
in Germany.

Today I told my shrink I was going to DC for two months. He didn't know the rules. If you have a VA ID Card don't sweat it. With that and a
senators phone number you do not have any problem.

I am a snow bird. I live in CO and AZ and I travel a bunch. I was recently bit by a dog in ABQ and went to the VA hospital, showed them my card and presto!
I was admitted to ER. In fact, I had a civilian prescription for Augmentin and the VA filed it on the spot.

Have also used the facility at SLC with not problems. Read the rules. You can not be denied access to medical care! When these cronies pull this on you it
is because they are typical VASTUPID. If you have problems call the 827 1000 number and they will assist (maybe). Never take "no" for their final
answer. And most VA facilities have sister hospitals that you can use. Pre-authorization can help you with this. Call them! Get a pre-authorization ID
card.

These VA clerks do not know the rules. They will try to baffle you with their bs. Don't swallow it. Smile, walk away and call the local Senator's
office. Or the VA hotline. Also, if you are 100% rated, you have priority. Go see the benefits office and get the facts before you see a doctor or PA at a
new facility. They might have to enroll you into their facility (VISN) before you are treated. And you WILL get the drugs you need.

If you get static about them not being able to pull your file up on the computer, hand them your cell phone and provide the number of your PCP where you
normally get your care. If you have any problems anywhere in the states or at a US military facility while traveling, fight them. Another choice is your
brown card. If you are at in a place where there are no VA facilities pull out your Dependent ID Card. It may say that you do not have rights to use the
medical facilities on the base but that is false also. They can and will make exceptions. Just be nice and cooperate. Try to go to a base of the branch you
were in! Also, another alternative is the local National Guard or reserve unit.

Best bet, get you pre-authorization card. Call the Billings Montana Office if you are on the west coast. And keep in mind, most hospitals will treat,
stabilize and transport you to the nearest VA Facility. If you need more info about this policy call the local hospital and ask for billing and ask them their
policy on treating veterans. Very simple. And, you always carry the phone number of your PCP in your pocket book and keep it in your car for emergencies.

I'm on my way to Denville, NJ shortly. I already know where my nearest medical facility is located. You should keep stuff like this in mind. The deal
with "no records available" on the computer is BS. The phone is available. So call your PCP'S nurse. My nurse's name is Michelle. You
should know yours. Again, remember, clerks are typically lazy. That is why the only pay you travel pay from zip to zip! Read the law about that scam! You
are entitled to max costs to you. US Code applies.

If you have medical issues and and there is no VA facility, try the local reserve unit. Also call the billing department at the hospital of your choice. Ask
them about their contract with the VA. If they do not have one, call the VA. Most civilian hospitals have contracts with the VA. Period. Also do not be afraid
to use the "unauthorized medical care" form from the VA. It is on the VA website. Download it and put it in your glovebox or luggage. It will cover,
ambulance and all other services required.

Restrictions apply to interstate mailing of prescription drugs. Check with the pharmacy before you leave home. Have a neighbor pick up your mail and forward it
to you. Also, you can have 2 PCP's in the VA system. I have on in Tucson and one in Colorado Springs and they work in unison. They both know how to use the
phone!

ggold7211 wrote:
You are allowed to have dual enrollment in two hospitals/clinics. You register first at the hospital not the CBOC in FLA.
Once you get registered in FLA they can acess your records.
The records are available in the CPRS electronic records package in a feature called VISTA WEB.
Some folks do not know to use Vista Web. The key is dual enrollment.

GG

Add me to the list of those who agree with the above. I am duel enrolled in SC, WV and PA. I have never had a problem with getting medical care and all three
VAMC have had access to my medical records.

Disclaimer: on the advice of Counsel, all my writings are fictions. While some events may be true, others will be unverifiable.